A large group of unidentified men stormed RG Kar Medical College and Hospital around 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, causing significant damage to hospital property. The attack occurred during the ongoing ‘Reclaim the Night’ protests, which were held by women demanding justice for a postgraduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered on August 9.
The Kolkata Police reported that approximately 40 individuals, reportedly disguised as protesters, entered the hospital premises, vandalized property and vehicles, and threw stones at the police. The incident has intensified tensions surrounding the case.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the vandalism, alleging that “TMC goons” were sent by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The protests were triggered by the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor whose body was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital. The case has sparked widespread outrage and demonstrations across the city.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has attributed the violence to a “malicious media campaign.” Goyal criticized the media for spreading rumors about the main accused’s alleged political connections, which he claims fueled public anger. He urged for patience and emphasized that arrests cannot be made based on rumors alone, defending the police’s actions and calling for restored trust in law enforcement.